Clove Lakes Park ice rink may not open for winter season

Updated September 11, 2018 at 2:39 PM;Posted September 11, 2018 at 1:55 PM

In this 2012 file photo, kids skate at WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park. The rink may not open for the season as it faces issues with its ice making system.(Staten Island Advance/ Bill Lyons)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink at Clove Lakes Park may not open for the winter season this year, as the rink's ice-making system is in need of repair.

The open-air rink operates seasonally between late October and early March, and there are currently issues with the machine that maintains the ice, according to the city Parks Department.

"We are exploring ways to address this matter and improve the experience for our visitors, but we have not determined if the rink needs to be closed this season to begin making these upgrades," said Anessa Hodgson, spokeswoman for NYC Parks Department.

City Ice Sports Inc., the concessionaire that handles day-to-day operations at the rink, said it is ultimately up to the Parks Department to make the decision if the rink will open or remain closed.

Dennis Quirk, owner of City Ice Sports , said the rink experienced the same ice system problem about seven years ago. At the time, Parks brought temporary units of ice-making systems on trailers to ensure the rink stayed open, he explained.

Quirk explained that the rink's ice-making system is fairly complex, allowing for the maintenance of the ice temperature, while not freezing the ground underneath. He added that repairs could cost several million dollars.

"We're ready to go, if they give us the green light," Quirk said. "It usually opens the second Saturday in October, so [Parks] needs to make a decision soon."